Mr. THOMAS REID (New Westminster):

I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister (Mr. Bennett). According to reports appearing in the press, President Roosevelt has made representations to other countries to join with the United States in the restoration of silver. My question to the Prime Minister is whether any representations have been made to the Dominion of Canada.

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister):

As I intimated the other day, the Canadian minister is keeping closely in touch with the situation. No representations have been received here.

PREVENTIVE SERVICE SEARCHES On the orders of the day:

Mr. C. B. HOWARD (Sherbrooke):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Revenue (Mr. Matthews). Did he or his department issue instructions to the preventive service to hold up and search the cars of private citizens, as they did on May 24, on the roads all over the eastern townships?

Hon. R. C. MATTHEWS (Minister of National Revenue):

I know nothing about the matter, but I will inquire into it.

CANADIAN PACIFIC LOAN On the orders of the day:

Hon. J. L. RALSTON (Shelburne-Yar-mouth):

I should like to ask the Prime Minister (Mr. Bennett) a question with regard to reports appearing in the press to the effect that the Canadian Pacific Railway are selling $12,000,000 of perpetual four per cent debentures. Is it the intention that the whole or any part of the proceeds of this sale will be used for the purpose of reducing the loan which has been guaranteed by the dominion?

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister) :

As yet the sale has not been made. If, as and when it is made it will reduce pro tanto the amount of the guarantee of the Dominion of Canada.

Mr. ONESIME GAGNON (Dorchester):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Labour (Mr. Gordon). In yesterday's issue of the Montreal Le Devoir there appeared a dispatch with regard to the accounts due the city of Montreal. The article is headed, "Ottawa is Responsible" and it is to the effect that if the accounts Of the city of Montreal are unpaid it is because of the delay on the part of the federal government. I should like to ask the minister if such statements are true.

Hon. W. A. GORDON (Minister of Labour) :

When the accounts of the city of Montreal are received by us from the province of Quebec they are dealt with in exactly the same manner as the accounts from any other province are dealt with. It takes from three days to probably ten days after the accounts are received to have them checked by the officials of my department and the auditor general, before the cheque issues. Each account received from the province of Quebec with respect to the city of Montreal has been promptly dealt with by the government. At present there are very few if any accounts in the department from the province of Quebec disclosing amounts owing to the city of Montreal; any that are in the department are being looked after.

The delay which has been occasioned with respect to the Montreal accounts arises out of difficulties that the provincial auditors are having in auditing the Montreal accounts, as I understand it. It is unfortunate that this delay has occurred, but before accounts are sent by the province to the federal government it is highly desirable that proper and necessary audits be made. Just as rapidly as we receive the accounts from the province of Quebec in proper form they have been and will be paid.

Imperial Economic Committee